Preventive Measures Reduce Rash from Vectibix

Nearly all patients who are treated with Vectibix™ (panitumumab) will develop an itchy skin rash that looks something like acne.  However, treating the rash preemptively  before it appears reduces its severity and lengthens the time before more serious rash appears.

During the STEPP (Skin Toxicity Evaluation Protocol with Panitumumab) trial, researchers randomized patients who were being treated with Vectibix to either preemptive skin rash management at the beginning of chemotherapy or reactive treatment once rash appeared.  After six weeks, 70 percent of patients treated preemptively had not developed grade 2 skin rash.  Sixty-two percent of the reactive group already had rash that was grade 2 or higher. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 27th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 7 Comments »
Tags: panitumumab, side effects, skin rash, Vectibix

Is KRAS Testing Right for You?

Concerned about whether you should have your tumor tested for a KRAS mutation?

You should discuss KRAS testing and your treatment options with your doctor

• If you are currently being treated with Erbitux® (cetuximab) or Vectibix™ (panitumumab) for colorectal cancer.
• Before beginning Erbitux or Vectibix treatment, either as single medicines or in combination with chemotherapy.
• When you are first diagnosed with advanced colon or rectal cancer and are planning a treatment strategy.

Recent research has shown that people with a certain change or mutation in the KRAS gene in their tumor do not benefit from either Erbitux or Vectibix.  This is true whether the medicine is used alone (monotherapy) or added to chemotherapy.

You can find more information about KRAS mutations, what research is saying about KRAS, decision-making about KRAS testing, and where you can be tested in the Patient Information pages of the C3 Fightcolorectalcancer.org web site. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 17th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: KRAS.Erbitux, Vectibix